As part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on may 17th, Fondation Émergence launches its “No Matter the Gender” campaing

AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA ON MAY 17TH,

FONDATION ÉMERGENCE LAUNCHES ITS

“No Matter the Gender” CAMPAIGN

MONTREAL, March 28, 2017– Today, Fondation Émergence announces the theme and visuals of its annual campaign against homophobia and transphobia, which revolves around the “No Matter the Gender” theme. It highlights certain human challenges that trans people experience and aims to raise public awareness about them.

Various versions of this theme appear on posters whose visuals show a trans person, along with a text suggesting that gender identity or expression should not have any impact on the feelings of respect, acceptance and love that this person, like all human beings, has the right to expect. This campaign is presented by the National Bank and was created by the agency lg2, in collaboration with Fondation Émergence.

“In recent years, trans people have been increasingly present in traditional media and in social media. There has been a lot of progress legally, medically and socially. However, a lot remains to be done, including raising public awareness concerning the realities of trans people. I’m pleased that Fondation Émergence is undertaking this campaign by highlighting certain human challenges that trans people experience: being respected, accepted and loved,” declared Mr. Claude Leblond, President of Fondation Émergence.

“The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which we have partnered with for 4 years, is an opportunity to take stock of what has been accomplished and what remains to be done so that everyone can fully embrace their differences. One thing is certain: we are very proud to be teaming up with Fondation Émergence and contributing to these awareness initiatives,” remarked Miss Caroline Dubé, Regional Vice President at the National Bank’s downtown Montreal branch.

This announcement represents the launch of the 2017 awareness campaign for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17th. The world’s first Day Against Homophobia was an initiative of Fondation Émergence in 2003; it then became the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in 2015. Promotional material (posters and flyers) will be distributed free of charge to all settings (schools, government offices, workplaces, etc.) in Quebec and Canada. In addition, 20 promotional bus posters will tour the streets of Montreal in the month of May.

We would also like to mention other tools that are being announced today, thanks to the financial support of the Ministère de la Justice du Québec’s Fight against homophobia program:

An information guide entitled “Intégrer les personnes trans en milieu de travail” (Integrating Trans People in the Workplace), which aims to provide employers with tools to facilitate the integration of trans people into the workplace. In partnership with the organization Aide aux trans du Québec (ATQ);

A docudrama entitled “Tomber dans l’œil: Regards sur la diversité sexuelle/Love at First Sight: Views of Sexual Diversity”which features works from the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It allows us to defy stereotypes and question how we look at others. Co-produced with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).

About Fondation Émergence

Fondation Émergence works to fight homophobia and transphobia and to protect the rights and inclusion of LGBT people in society through awareness campaigns, projects, surveys and award ceremonies as part of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, which it initiated in 2003. www.fondationemergence.org, www.homophobie.org

About the National Bank of Canada

With 234 billion dollars in assets as of January 31, 2017, the National Bank of Canada, along with its subsidiaries, is one of Canada’s largest integrated financial groups. It employs over 21,000 people and is recognized as a premier employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow its activities on bnc.ca or through social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About lg2

An integrated communications agency founded in 1991, lg2, with more than 260 employees and offices in Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto, is now the largest independent agency in Canada. lg2 offers services in strategy, technological development, advertising, UX/UI design, experiential design, as well graphic design, packaging, content marketing and social media, performance measurement, shopper marketing and production.